Darnel
Darnel was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1986, when it ranked 1737th with 36 babies. More babies were named Darnel in the 1980s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Darnell) Origin uncertain · English, French
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 198636 babies
- Total since 1880
- 1,052babies recorded
What does the name Darnel mean?
Darnel is a spelling of Darnell, pronounced the same way, so it shares Darnell's meaning and origin.
Darnell is an English surname. Wiktionary derives it from darnel, a kind of ryegrass, or treats it as a variant of Darnall, a place-name; Wikipedia says the surname has English and French origins. As a first name it is mainly American and was most popular from the 1960s to the 1980s.
darnel (English, “a weedy ryegrass”)
How sure is this? Uncertain. Two possible origins for the surname (the plant darnel, or a place-name).
Related names: Darnelle, Darrell.
See also: English names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Darnell', Wiktionary (Wikimedia Foundation)
- Wikipedia, 'Darnell', Wikipedia (Wikimedia Foundation)
Darnel popularity since 1880
A few girls are given the name too: 46 since 1957.
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2010 | #7,186 | 11 |
| 2000 | #3,446 | 24 |
| 1990 | #2,184 | 33 |
| 1980 | #2,069 | 26 |
| 1970 | #2,011 | 20 |
| 1960 | #2,572 | 11 |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Darnel, counting every spelling?
Darnel is a spelling of Darnell, a name family that had 61 boys in 2025 across its spellings. Together these spellings went to 61 boys in 2025.
| Spelling | Babies 2025 | Official rank | Babies 2021–2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darnell | 56 | #2,423 | 401 |
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Darnel?
About 900 people born in the US named Darnel are alive today, with a median age of 39; half are between 29 and 51. That makes Darnel mostly worn by adults in their thirties to fifties.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Darnel by state
How common Darnel was among boys born in each state in 1984–1988, around its peak. It is notably more common than nationally in New York (3.3×). In 50 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Darnel: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Darnel, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Darnel
What does Darnel mean?
The origin of Darnell is uncertain: two possible origins for the surname (the plant darnel, or a place-name).
How popular is the name Darnel?
Darnel was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1986, when it ranked 1737th with 36 babies. More babies were named Darnel in the 1980s than in any other decade.
Is Darnel a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Darnel in the US.
Where was Darnel most popular?
In 1984–1988, Darnel was most common in New York (0.04 per 1,000 boys).